It seems like just yesterday that I discovered I was pregnant. I remember everything so perfectly. I was in chiropractic school at the time and had begun to notice that Gross Lab was really making me sick (more than usual that is!). So that afternoon I took a pregnancy test, then another and another. After three positives, it really hit me that my ultimate goal in life was actually going to happen.

We found out in July and began deciding what kind of birth we wanted. It was either a birthing center or at home. It didn't take long to decide on a homebirth once I dealt with my initial fears. We met with our midwife, Allison, for an interview, and she was the only midwife we interviewed. I was impressed with her vast knowledge and dedication to learn more. However, I would recommend that you interview many midwives, because in the end, Allison and I did not jive.

My pregnancy was an amazingly awesome experience. I loved every bit of it. I was never sick and looked and felt great the whole nine months. At about 38 weeks, I started getting really impatient (who doesn't!). I kept asking Allison when it would happen and how would I know. She told me not to get my hopes up; I would probably be 41 weeks before I delivered. But she said that with all her clients once they lose their plug, the baby always comes within 72 hours.

That was on a Wednesday. On Friday, I had the show and, of course, called everyone! Then I waited. Seventy-two hours came and went. On Tuesday night, five days later, I was really going crazy. I walked 2 miles, went up and down my stairs and, of course, had sex. I did all the natural things to get the baby coming.

About 20 minutes after making love, I froze dead in my tracks – WHAT HAVE I DONE? That's what I was thinking when the first contraction hit. That was at 9:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 19. I was really nervous, but somehow (through God's grace), I slept that night off and on but well. My husband and I got up Wednesday morning to get ready for school. I had a bone pathology test that I thought I could go to.

At 7 a.m., it got more intense, and I told Michael to call Allison. The crazy thing is, she was at another birth. So she sent over her mentor, who I had never met, and her assistant. It was completely a God thing though, because Jane was amazing! She got there at 10 a.m., and we overheard her telling her husband that she would be home by 3 p.m.! Yippee! Unfortunately, 3 p.m. came and went.

Finally, at 4 p.m., I told her to check and see how far I was. Up till this point, I had never had anything done to me except a stethoscope hearing the heartbeat. All she said was that the baby's head was about an inch in. At 5 p.m., I got the urge to push. After many pushes we discovered that the baby was posterior. All that meant was more pushing and waiting for the baby to decide to come out.

Finally, finally, finally, at 10:20 p.m., I pushed REALLY hard, and all at once, the head and body came out in one push! I didn't even realize that the baby had come out until Jane passed her through my legs (I was standing with my arms draped over my husband when I gave birth). They sat me down on the bed, and we found out it was a little girl. Her name is Haley Annabelle Beck. She was 7 pounds, 15.5 ounces, 21 inches long and had a huge 14-centimeter head!

All I kept saying was It's OK pumpkin. I was so out of it from exhaustion and losing a lot of blood that I hardly remember anything. I do know that Haley got her first adjustment when she was five minutes old. That night, we all (Mommy, Daddy, Haley and Chance the dog) slept in bed through the whole night.

Here it is 10 and a half months later and I still can't believe I am a mom! I would never have a baby any other place than at home, and I would never suggest anything else for anyone. I will cherish that event for the rest of my life. Thank you God!